Oklahoma
How Oklahoma State football’s Iman Oates first sack was a sign he had made his mark on DL
STILLWATER — Iman Oates was happy to have put pressure on the quarterback.
The Oklahoma State defensive tackle pulled TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to the ground in the first quarter of what turned out to be a 38-13 Cowboy loss Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Hoover tried to escape the pressure, but Oates dove, grabbing the quarterback and pulling him to the ground.
“I thought he threw the ball away,” Oates said. “Then I got up and Kody Waltersheid was like, ‘Let’s go, Iman!’
“I was like, ‘Oh, it’s a sack.’”
Not just any sack, but Oates’ first of the season, and thus, the first of his OSU career.
Oates added another tackle for loss among his four stops Saturday as the product of Tulsa Edison High School and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M has turned into one of the Cowboys’ more reliable defensive linemen.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Oates redshirted last year, but quickly stepped in on a line full of returning players and made his mark. For the season, he has played 480 snaps, fifth-most on the defense and most among defensive linemen.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Oates should continue to be an impact player on what will be a mostly rebuilt defensive line next season.
Here’s a look at other Cowboys on the move in this week’s stock report:
Oklahoma State stock report
Stock rising
Brennan Presley, receiver: The super-senior receiver became the Cowboys’ all-time leader in pass receptions, surpassing Rashaun Woods’ record of 293. Presley now has 297 for his career and surpassed the 5,000-yard mark in all-purpose yards, becoming the fourth OSU player to do so. In a year that has been hard to watch for Cowboy fans, Presley continues to be a ray of sunshine.
Young players’ development: Particularly on defense, the Cowboys got an extended look at some young players in the primary rotation for the first time. Now, with a week off, coach Mike Gundy said it would be a good time to let those players work their way toward more game snaps when the Pokes host Texas Tech on Nov. 23.
Stock falling
Veterans’ playing time: The flipside of the young players getting more involvement means veterans, especially those who are nearing the end of their careers, will have to share more time. Maybe some young offensive linemen work in with super-senior starters. The same will continue to happen at safety and on the defensive line.
Alan Bowman, quarterback: He’s one of those super-seniors in danger of losing playing time in the final two games. The veteran quarterback deserves a proper senior salute for what he has given the program in a time of need. But the Cowboys need to be forward-thinking about the rest of the season. True freshman Maealiuaki Smith can play in the final two games without burning his redshirt, and it’s rare to have this opportunity to get a rookie QB meaningful snaps without endangering the status of your team.
Oklahoma State redshirt tracker
Da’Wain Lofton looks destined to redshirt in his true senior season.
After transferring from Virginia Tech, Lofton was limited by an injury early in the season, but got on the field for four games.
However, he didn’t make the trip to Fort Worth, Texas, for the TCU game, so it looks like his season is over. Playing in a backup role to slot receiver Brennan Presley, Lofton had 140 receiving yards on six catches.
Lofton has played inside and outside receiver during his college career, and depending on what happens with the OSU roster, he could be in line for a prime role next season.
Also, true freshman safety David Kabongo played in his fifth game of the season, wiping out his redshirt status. No other freshmen are in danger of surpassing the four-game mark over the final two weeks of the season.
And the Pokes debuted an unexpected freshman on Saturday. Linebacker/edge rusher Yamil Talib, a walk-on from Dallas, played five snaps, primarily as a pass rusher. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Talib is the nephew of former Kansas standout and NFL cornerback Aqib Talib.
Here’s a look at the OSU redshirt tracker with two games remaining:
- Played in more than four games: Landyn Cleveland, Fr.; Josh Ford, Fr.; David Kabongo, Fr.
- Played in four games: Gavin Freeman, Jr.; Da’Wain Lofton, Sr.
- Played in three games: None
- Played in two games: Jonathan Agumadu, Fr.; Rodney Fields Jr., Fr.; Collin Oliver, Sr.; Maealiuaki Smith, Fr.
- Played in one game: Yamil Talib, Fr.
- Other non-freshman redshirt candidates: A.J. Green, Sr. (0 games)